Oregon Ducks

Oregon's wide receivers could be the best in college football

Published Jun. 10, 2015 4:57 p.m. ET

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The Oregon Ducks' wide receiving corps made a major step forward in 2014. Without any major departures this offseason, the Ducks could have the best group in the nation.

At least one analyst in the country, the famous Phil Steele, named the Ducks wide receivers the best unit in the nation in his preseason college football preview.

Steele said that the Ducks were the "clear No. 1 this year" and added that "Almost everyone in the 3-deep is a (very highly touted player)", per Andrew Greif of The Oregonian.

The Ducks return stars from last year such as Byron Marshall, Darren Carrington and Charles Nelson, though Nelson may play on the defensive side of the ball this season. Oregon also has the pleasure of welcoming back Bralon Addison, one of the best receivers in the nation in 2013, who missed last year after an ACL tear.

The only major loss sustained by the Ducks was the graduation of Keanon Lowe; however, the Ducks will have the services of true freshman Alex Ofodile and redshirt freshman Jalen Brown.

The loss of 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota to the NFL will certainly make the jobs of the wide receivers a bit more difficult, regardless of who the QB is in 2015. However, the Ducks have the talent at the wide receiver position to overcome that bump in the road and stand out as one of the best units in the country.

(h/t The Oregonian)